Could Barnes, Bell boost Heat defense?

ASK IRA:

MIAMI — Q: Hello Ira, would Miami be interested in pursuing Matt Barnes? He reminds me of Shane Battier, a good defensive player with some spark at the three-point range. Tim, Wellington.

A: There is something to be said about adding a perimeter stopper, so LeBron James doesn't have to take that challenge when Battier is off the court. But the issue with players such as Barnes or even Raja Bell, who still might yet get his buyout from the Jazz, is whether they could accept what otherwise could be a minimal role with the Heat, especially if Mike Miller can make it back into the rotation. Barnes was a rotation player last season with the Lakers, and Bell became disenchanted when he lost his rotation role in Utah. So the real issue is whether such players would be willing to go extended stretches without minutes in a Heat perimeter rotation that features James, Battier, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers, Ray Allen, and possibly Miller, Norris Cole and Rashard Lewis, as well.

Q: Don't think the Heat gave up on Eddy Curry a bit too early? What if that 2008-09 or better player shows up for the Nets this season? The Heat might think it was an error in letting this guy go. -- Lester, Tampa.

A: There are several players the Heat can play the what-if game with over the years, with camp cuts such as Anthony Morrow and John Lucas III coming to mind. But it is highly doubtful that Eddy emerges as a rotation player elsewhere at this stage of his career. He hasn't signed yet with the Nets, so his status for 2012-13 is yet to be determined. But Heat coaches know what they saw in practice last season, and it clearly wasn't enough to get him back on the court.